I love cottage gardens. The list of possible plants for a garden in San Diego is vast. Below are a few plant ideas that may help you get started on your cottage garden design. Some of the names are likely old friends from your Chicago garden, others may be unfamiliar.

Agapanthus, agastache, asclepias, achillea, alstroemeria, alyssum, anemone, aquilegia, anigozanthos, armeria, artemisia, bletilla, buddleja, bergenia, canna, crocosmia, campanula, Coreopsis grandifolia, clematis, coleus, cosmos, daylilies, dahlias, dietes, dianthus, echium, euphorbia, festuca, freesia, fuchsia, foxglove, geum, geranium (true), gaura, gazania, gladiolus, gaillardia, heuchera, iris (bearded), kniphofia, kalanchoe, lavender, lantana, lobelia, limonium, lotus (L. berthelotii), liriope, malva, phormium, passiflora, phygelius, penstemon, physostegia, pelargonium, pentas, rehmannia, rudbeckia, rosemary, salvia, sedum, snapdragons, Shasta daises, stachys, trachelium, thyme, verbena, voila and zinnia.